Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Thoughts & a project...

I have neglected this blog for long enough...

Time is a very tricky thing... you can feel both like you have too much and not enough at the same time.

We are well passed the half way point of this deployment, and although I had a low moment last night, I have really been feeling pretty good with everything. Of course I would prefer for our Sailor to be home, and even though I used to turn my nose up to the idea of getting used to him being gone... it's true, you do get used to it...

Weekends used to be really hard for me... because every Friday night, the Sailor would come home from work and we would always jump in the car and head to the store for fun weekend food, adult beverages treats for everyone and a movie to rent. So when Friday rolled around I couldn't help but feel like a part of us was missing and even tho I tried to keep with our routine, it just wasn't the same and it was too obvious that someone was missing.

Without even realizing it, we slowly began a new weekend routine, a new week routine, a new month routine... I have realized that even though I did not want to be OK without you, I am.

Now don't get me wrong, there are days where I feel like I have had enough, that I can't take another second of doing everything by myself!! I am not perfect! I resent my other mom friends when they complain about their husbands or they dare say that they're husband has been working late and is missing the kids. While I do understand their complaints, I feel my heart sink and I have to talk myself out of attacking them with every emotion in my heart!!
Don't you think I would give anything to have an argument with my husband or to complain that his dirty laundry is on the floor or that he is not helping out enough?? Don't you think his heart is breaking for every second he has been without our babies?? Don't you think he would give up everything to smell them, hold them for one night??
... but I don't, I let my words be thoughts... and in a moment I feel better. This is our life, not theirs and I cannot expect everyone to understand.

I've come to the realization that we all go through things in life and no matter how big or how little those struggles may be, we somehow find the strength within to get through them, whether we want to or not.

"We all get through what we have to," is my chosen response to "I don't know how you do it!"

Now with all that being said, I wanted to share a project with you...

I had been admiring this sign on etsy for weeks, but I just couldn't talk myself into spending the money on it. I came across this tutorial, but I felt intimidated to go pick out wood at home depot.

Well, finally when my brother was here, I went into the scary lumbar section of home depot and picked out a cedar fence panel for $1.77,  came home and put that tutorial to work. 

This is what I came up with...









The perfectionist in me worried that it looked too hand made and of course the letters are not perfectly painted, but I do really love it and I get so many compliments when people come over. 

I especially love that it only cost $1.77!!









UndertheTableandDreaming

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Monday, May 9, 2011

Ruffled Lamp Shade {another project inspired by Dear Lillie}

As I mentioned before (in my last post)... I have recently become completely obsessed with the blog Dear Lillie.

Pretty recently she posted a tutorial for a ruffled lamp shade. I adore ruffles and after scanning thru her post, badly wished I had a sewing machine (or even knew how to use one for that matter) so I could make one of my own.

I don't know the first thing about sewing, let alone sewing machines!!

Well, low and behold I sat down and re read her post (while kids were napping and could actually hear myself think) and noticed she had written that no sewing machine was required to make a ruffle like hers...

You'll totally laugh when I tell you what I used for material, but I just happened to be in Walmart (just happened, ha!!) and in the craft section I noticed plain white bandanas for $1 each. So I cut strips and sewed as straight as possible in a line down the middle (by hand) and then pulled!! I was shocked to see how cute it  ruffled up!

Now mind you I do not have fancy fabric scissors so my strips were jagged and totally uneven, but I really like the frayed imperfect edge... go figure, the perfectionist finds imperfection perfect!!








The project was a little time consuming, but super easy!! 

I plan on making over my bedroom lamp shade the same way, so if anyone has any questions or would like me to attempt a tutorial, I would gladly try!!






Friday, April 29, 2011

Apple Wreath Inspired by Dear Lillie...

Once upon a time... 

I stumbled across this blog...


Dear Lillie

her home is stunning...

her taste impeccable...

She has inspired many projects in my home...

Most recently, this wreath...



I had to have one of my own!

Grape vine wreath... check!

Boxwood garland... check!

Faux Walmart apples... check!

Ribbon... check!













I LOVE IT!!

... and I think it looks beautiful in my kitchen,

appropriately hung on my pantry door.





UndertheTableandDreaming

Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter 2011


{Apparently it is too much to ask for a cute picture of them together!!}